Truckers Drive Home Idea of Caution on Climate Bills

Jul 01, 2008

Expressing concern over the impact of cap-and-trade legislation, a top trucking industry official urged Congress to take a cautious approach to climate change initiatives, according to a June 19 press release.

Con-Way Inc. Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs Randy Mullett testified on behalf of the American Trucking Associations before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 19.

He said that federal climate change policy must avoid encouraging a patchwork of local, state, and regional climate change laws that could hinder the ability of the trucking industry to function in interstate commerce. Citing the nation's 750,000 motor carriers who deliver goods across state lines, Mullet said the industry supports federal preemption of local, state, and regional climate change laws.

"The trucking industry is concerned over what cap-and-trade legislation will do to the price of fuel we consume," Mullett said. "Our industry cannot absorb rapid increases in fuel costs. The trucking industry is extremely sensitive to how climate change legislation may further escalate fuel prices. ATA is urging Congress to carefully evaluate fuel price impacts that result from climate change legislation."

Currently, governmental entities are enacting localized climate change initiatives, which Mullett said is "unworkable and impracticable" given the interstate and diverse nature of trucking. Cap-and-trade programs, Mullett added, are more effectively applied to stationary sources. A widely diverse regulatory patchwork would impede the delivery of the nation's goods.